Ammon and the Power of God

On my mission, I experienced burnout. The mental image that came to me at the time was boiling water: spiritually, I had come to a boil, and I knew that if I was not replenished, I would run out. Another metaphor is a ship at sea: it may go far, but if it is not replenished with life-giving water and supplies, the crew will die and their journey fail.

Contrast what I felt with the experience of Ammon and his brethren. These men came with a strong testimony of God (Mosiah 27:15). They had spent months, perhaps years, teaching their countrymen about God (Mosiah 27:33-37). They had prepared themselves thoroughly for spiritual battle: “they were men of sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.” (Alma 17:2-3)

Then, comes their time to serve in the field. Ammon’s third day as a servant, robbers attack them and scatter their sheep. All Ammon’s coworkers want to do is bemoan their fate. Here’s Ammon’s response: “Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy” (Alma 17:29) He’s full of joy, right as he is about to have to push himself to the limit? He’s full of joy, when he’s just been attacked by robbers and the people he needs to teach aren’t motivated even when their lives are in danger? Yes, he is! Why? “for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.” 1. He has complete trust in the power of God in Him. 2. He is completely focused on the mission he has been given, to lead the Lamanites to believe in the word of God. Result? He flatters the servants and they work incredibly hard and save the flocks.

But wait. While they’re still warm from the exercise, the robbers show up again. Ammon’s response? “Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.” (v.33) He has totally assumed the role of a leader, and a leader puts his neck on the line for his followers. And the servants do exactly what he says. We’re not told if there’s an opening prayer before the confrontation, but I kind of doubt it. Ammon is in the zone; he is relishing his role. “Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power”.

This was the Lamanite justice system in action: the Lamanites knew plundering and murdering were wrong, and Ammon knew they knew. He also was full of and relishing the power of God in Him to protect his fellow-servants and the clueless sheep from the danger. Rather than backing off, the robbers charged him with clubs. “But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him” (v. 37)

Ammon apparently didn’t know how to deliver a non-lethal slingstone, but he did specifically target the robber’s leader for death: some conflicts just have to be cut off at the roots, perhaps? With the leader dead, and many of their club arms missing, it’s the robbers who have had enough.

You might think Ammon is exhausted, but far from it. He helps water the flocks, and then remembers (there’s some good in a daily planner!) what all the other servants forget (or are they just giving him a chance to shine?): preparing the horses and chariots for the big trip to the party in Nephi.

While he’s still going full-steam ahead, the servants tell him to come see Lamoni. Here at last, he takes a breather. “Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour” (Alma 18:13) After an hour passes, Ammon has had no revelation, so he repeats the question. It is then the Spirit of the Lord comes to his rescue, revealing what the king is thinking of. Hindsight being 20-20, it seems ridiculously easy to us to guess what the king was thinking of, but we need to remember that Ammon’s power does not come from relying on his own abilities, but from his complete trust in God, and his laser focus on his mission.

Ammon knows the king’s thoughts, but he still is interested in getting the king to speak for himself. “Are you marveling because I just killed seven guys and cut off lots of arms defending your flocks?” And then he repeats the magic phrase: “I’m ready to do whatever you want.” Remember that he’s already had a very full day to this point! But the power in him is inexhaustible, so he can say that and it is perfectly true.

The king says, “Well yeah, I kind of want to know who you are and how on earth did you get your magical power? I’ll give you whatever you want if you’ll tell me about your power source.”

Ammon, totally focused on his mission of leading the Lamanites to believe the word of God, at last makes a move: “Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.” (v. 22) The king agrees, and Ammon begins teaching simply, in a question-and-answer format, about who God is, and why His power is in Ammon. Unlike some recent inhabitants of the wild west, the Lamanites were big on long talks. Ammon teaches the king and the servants about the creation of Adam and the scriptural record until Lehi. Then they cover Nephite and Lamanite history to the present, with relevant scriptures. He also teaches them the plan of redemption and all the works of the Lord. The king believes everything, and begins crying to the Lord for mercy: next, he falls to the earth as if he were dead.

Here again, Ammon seems to have decided it was time for a breather. He steps aside while the servants carry the unresponsive king to his wife, and not until two days later does Ammon get his wish: they ask him to take a look at the king and tell them what’s wrong. He prophesies the king will rise (apparently even giving the exact time: see Alma 18:11) and everything happens exactly as foretold. It’s a good thing Ammon is there punctually, because two sentences after Lamoni rises, he and his wife sink down again. Ammon bursts into thanksgiving to God, and he is overpowered too, not by exhaustion (and it’s an important distinction), but by joy (19:14). The power in Ammon is limitless, and it is being poured out upon all the people who will repent and believe on the name of Christ (Alma 19:36).

Years later, Ammon is still full of this joy and power (Alma 26:16; 27:17), and his converts are of the same fiber (Alma 23:6). What does Ammon attribute this joy to? 1. His faith and desires which are in God (Alma 18:35). 2. The infinite power, wisdom, understanding, and mercy of God (Alma 26:35-37).
To that we could certainly add the faith of Mosiah and the promise which he obtained from God (Alma 17:35) and the diligent missionary service and preparation of Ammon (Mosiah 27:32-37; Alma 17:2-3). Perhaps most significant of all is Ammon’s unshakable knowledge that he has been called of God to do what he is doing (Alma 18:34). Alma, his colleague and fellow preacher, also buoyed himself in the rough times by remembering this calling to himself and to his hearers (e.g., Alma 5:44).

In summary, I don’t think we can fully appreciate the intensity and unwavering energy of Ammon without acknowledging that he received strength from God. I also don’t believe we can experience the same degree of spiritual power and God-inspired success without turning to the same sources and receiving the same (or a similar) calling that Ammon received. This matter is critically important to me at this point of time in my life when I am trying to find whether and what God has called me to do, and (of secondary importance) how I should go about it. I will continue seeking for answers. Look out, robbers.

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A.J. Jacobs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you are interested in how the Bible strikes the secular and politically correct (and ridiculously funny), this may be just the thing. I found A. J. Jacobs’ book very intellectual without being stuffy, offering numerous little insights and funny moments, and I do mean funny in both traditional senses. If you want a page turner and many a good laugh, read on.



I did not glean many life-changing revelations from the pages, but I was entertained, and I believe that was Jacobs’ principal goal in writing. The words of Paul in 1 Cor. 2 come readily to mind (e.g., 1 Cor. 2:14). Jacobs himself admits that he is being a little superficial, and he is unsure how much or even whether he can change to the frame of humility so necessary to receive revelation from God. We do not fully come to know God by trying him out selectively and for limited amounts of time, but by humbly receiving and internalizing revelation from him (1 Cor. 2:11; Jacob 4:8).



Of course, God is much kinder than any of us deserves. It is kind of heart-warming how even Jacobs’ limited (and sometimes downright wacky) efforts at finding God bear fruit. Perhaps most touching was how he acquired a deep gratitude for his many blessings. That alone is one of the best gifts we can receive: to understand true gratitude.



In sum, I recommend it heartily, with a grain of salt.





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How the South Could Have Won the Civil War: the Fatal Errors That Led to Confederate Defeat by Bevin Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Excellent book; highly recommended. The author has given a very convincing overview that draws you into the period and the choices of generals, presidents, and other leaders that led to the South's eventual defeat. This reshaped my view of Robert E. Lee: he was a great field commander (far superior to most of his Northern counterparts) but with an antiquated and deeply flawed notion of how to win an 1860's war. Grant was not much better, but he had many more men to follow him. By contrast, Stonewall Jackson (and to some extent, the Union general Sherman) appreciated the importance of manuevers, foremost his defend, then flank attack, which won battles but did not convert Lee.



After the war, Lee was one of the greatest influencers for peace with the North, in example and precept. He may have been, in the long run, the greatest single contributor to the solidarity of the United States today.



The book does dig into technical details of battles, and the maps, while a big help, could have been well complimented with some photos. Really, someone needs to do an interactive 3d map where you can place armies (and equipment) of variable size, but I won't hold that against Mr. Alexander.



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A BYU friend recently recommended Goodreads to me. I visited the website, liked what they were doing, and promptly joined. Here's my first book review. I've been very interested in the Revolutionary War period for some time and have read a number of books on the subject and key figures from the period (more recently, 1776, Washington's General, and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life). I have a rather pathetic start at a historical novel during the period, and was enthused by the detail-oriented picture of soldiers on the battlefields provided in my latest foray: Patriot Battles, by Michael Stephenson. Here's my review:

Mr. Stephenson has done a great job condensing large amounts of information into short, crisp, logically structured data on the Revolutionary War. If you enjoy the period and want to get a feel for the realities of this war period (and especially the soldiers who fought the war), this book deserves serious consideration.

Given its brevity, the book naturally has omitted some areas of the war, viz. the stories of war prisoners, many of the naval battles and minor actions, detailed biographical information, etc., but it is no less commendable for its excellent detail in describing the soldiers who fought the wars, including an interesting sidelight on Negro soldiers serving on both sides; the recruiting process; the weapons used; etc., and a substantial account of the major engagements of the war from start to finish.

I will likely be coming back to this book when I write a historical novel on the period.

Come thou sinner unto Jesus

Recently, I finished the Book of Mormon and started again in 1 Nephi. Like every great classic carefully reviewed, there are new insights with each fresh pass. I found myself particularly touched by the message in 1 Nephi 6:4, where Nephi emphasizes our duty to come unto God.

My composing itch led me to the great hymn classic, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. If you have never taken the time to review its history, may I recommend wikipedia's summary of the hymn text and the author's life. I was interested to see the large number of revisions, as well as the poignant circumstances which led to the hymn's creation. These two starting points and a lot of help from the Fount of every blessing helped produce these lyrics. If they uplift and encourage you in your spiritual journey, I am well repaid.

1. Come thou sinner unto Jesus;
He awaits with open hands:
Come and take His yoke upon thee
And be loosed from Satan’s bands.
All eternity awaits thee,
Endless giving, endless life,
Let not worldly pleasures sate thee;
Give up all thy useless strife.

2. Rise up from receipt of customs,
Rise up from Damascus’ road,
Leave the nets of sin entangling,
For a better, lighter load.
Heed the call of Love made Human,
Take the gift He’s proffered long,
Let not worldly wealth entombing,
Keep thee from salvation’s song.

3. Lift thine eyes to see the stranger
Who thy hands might bring relief,
One kind word may save from danger,
And give peace in place of grief.
And for all that thou’st forsaken
By thy coming to the Lord,
If thy faith remain unshaken,
Hundredfold shall be restored.

Matt. 11:28-30; 19:21, 29; 25:40; Luke 5:27-28